Larry Wilmore Suggests COVID-19 Fall Return Could Be Donald Trump’s Saving Grace In Election On ‘Real Time with Bill Maher’

During last night’s episode of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher, topics such as defunding the police, Black Lives Matter, the coronavirus, and Donald Trump were all up for discussion. Bill Maher hosted a virtual panel that included former Comedy Central Nightly Show host Larry Wilmore and Fifth Column podcast host Matt Welch.

Wilmore, who is clearly not a fan of Donald Trump, suggested that a COVID-19 return in the fall could be the President’s saving grace when it comes to the forthcoming November election. Maher began the discussion in typical fashion, by mocking Trump, who is planning to resume election rallies on June 19 (“Juneteenth”) in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the date that African Americans celebrate the end of slavery.

“Not since Reagan went to Philadelphia, Mississippi to open his campaign in 1980 have I seen a racist dog whistle that loud,” said Maher.

“Trump is past dog-whistling, it really is a dog mega phone,” added Wilmore, “Even if it’s not that, Bill, the insensitivity to it — just do your f***king research! Do your homework! Be more conscientious about your actions.”

“Even the way he did his silly walk to (St. John’s) church…just for that ridiculous photo op, Trump, he’s in the weirdest kind of bubble I’ve ever seen for a president,” he went on, “It defies explanation.”

Talking about Mitt Romney joining the Black Lives Matter protests, Wilmore claimed the former presidential candidate “is a thumb in the eye of Trump,” adding that the protests for George Floyd weren’t just diverse, “but global. In the ’92 riots, it was localized in Los Angeles.”

“It’s interesting to see the number of Republicans that are starting to respond to this,” said Wilmore, “especially the military leaders who are coming out and going against Trump, people he’s had in his cabinet and other people. I’ve never seen anything like that. That’s unprecedented.”

Maher then compared the recent disaster of a primary election that Georgia had to “a bad moon rising,” reminding everyone what could go wrong on November 3rd. The state dealt with broken voting machines, long lines, and a shortage of ballots.

“I see this is a bond between Trump and Republican allies — trusting democracy to the voters,” Maher said.

“That’s a tough one,” said Wilmore as he pondered. “If there’s a feeling of a protest vote, like the way protests are happening now, people aren’t going to be thinking of corona(virus).”

Wilmore concluded, “If COVID comes back early, you might be right — you talk about the ultimate deus ex machina coming down and saving Trump, for Christ’s sake, our heads would explode if people don’t get out to the polls because of this coronavirus and Trump becomes President again.”

You can check out the full clip of the panel discussion above and catch new episodes of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher on Fridays at 10 PM EST.

Michael is a music and television junkie keen on most things that are not a complete and total bore. You can follow him on Twitter — @Tweetskoor

Stream Real Time with Bill Maher on HBO Max